Manchester United star Paul Pogba has spoken for the first time of the red card incident that saw him ruled out of Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Late in last weekend’s match against Arsenal, a fixture the Red Devils won 3-1, the former Juventus man was dismissed for a challenge that saw him connect with Hector Bellerin’s leg with his studs up.

It was a moment that provoked controversy, as the France international midfielder seemed to be caught out by the unusual body position of the Gunners defender.

Pogba has protested that the incident was an accident and said he had misread the situation.

“I didn’t really speak after the game – I didn’t have time – but I think Hector, I know him as well, and I would never give him a tackle like this,” he said.

“Unfortunately for me I thought he would put his feet and he was in a position that was a disadvantage for me so I have done it.

“It looks very bad, but the intention wasn’t like that. They had the decision, the referee got the red card and that’s football.”

Pogba played the full 90 minutes in Tuesday’s Champions League match against CKSA Moscow, with Jose Mourinho’s side coming from behind to claim a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford.